Interesting times in French politics here to say the least. Being introverted and struggling to master A2B1 French, particularly comphrension and speaking, I don't discuss much with French folks but they seem bewildered by Macron's move and think he is crazy/arrogant etc.
I am a see both sides/consensus type by nature and an outsider, so to me I can think of a logic behind it, particularly from a UK perspective... 1/3
If Macron had not called an AN election, then the next would be 2027 as I understand it. That would give the RN 3 years to grandstand it in the EU Parliament, like Nigel Farage did as a UK MEP, endlessly wafffling and shit stirring and dissing the instituation that paid him, poisoning discorse on it in the UK, and that led to Brexit. I think Macron saw that danger and wants them to make their pitch sooner,...
2/3
which gives them less time, but also means if they do get some power, they don't have long to show they can use it, and as we have seen already many times, populism is all about campaigning and agitation, but utterly useless at the business of governing. So even with some power, they will make an arse of it and talk themselves out of future increases in power. I think that is the gamble/equation he is playing here. Hope it pays off.
Bob Thomson